African Tulip Tree;

Flame Tree;  Fountain Tree

Spathodea campanulata

A tall colorful tree native to Africa blooms year round.  Buds grow in a crowded circular cluster with the bright red tulip shaped flowers opening a few at a time.  Unopened buds will squirt water when pinched or punctured.  Leaves and flowers are made into dyes from gold to dark brown.  Young trees sprout easily from seeds in elliptical seedpods, which are also used for dry flower arrangements.  It is now one of the dominant canopy trees in the deep rainforest ravines on the Hamakua Coast.  It has been included in the pest plant category.